Media connector interface for use with a PCMCIA-architecture communications card

• US 5,336,099 A
• Filed: 10/01/1993
• Issued: 08/09/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Megahertz Corporation
• Inventors: Dake, Guy M., Aldous, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US08/131,012
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 439/55, 439/131, 439/676, 439/329, 439/344, 361/391-395, 361/399, 361/679, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/946 Memory card cartridge

Abstract

A communications card capable of being mounted in electrical communications with a computer has formed therethrough an aperture so sized and shaped as to be capable of receiving a physical/electrical media connector. The media connector has a biased retention clip, a contact pin block, and contact pins. The retention clip has several standardized characteristics including a broad fixed end protruding from an outer surface of the contact pin block. The broad fixed end tapers abruptly at a transition notch down to a narrow free end, capable of being manipulated by a user to remove the physical/electrical media connector from the aperture in the communications card. In use, a media connector is inserted directly into the aperture in the communications card, the aperture being in contact with a plurality of contact wires fixed within the communications card. The communications card is divided into a retractable access portion of the communications card which can be directly accessed by manipulating an actuating mechanism releasing a retention means thereby allowing a spring to push the retractable access portion of the card outside of the computer housing. The retractable access portion of the communications card may be reinserted back into the computer housing to be carried internally when not in use.

Claims

1. A communications connection system allowing connection of a physical/electrical media connector to a communications card, the system comprising:

(a) a portable computer having a PCMCIA communications card slot in a housing;

(b) a PCMCIA credit card type communications card capable of being inserted into the slot within the housing, the communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture; and

(c) means for selectively moving the retractable access portion of the PCMCIA communications card to a position outside of the computer housing to expose the aperture outside of the computer housing for reception of the physical/electrical media connector.

2. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing comprise a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card.

3. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card further comprise means for guiding the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing.

4. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for guiding the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing comprise a channel formed in the edges of the communications card surrounding the portion of the communications card that travels in and out and a corresponding guide track formed in the edges of the portion of the communications card that travels in and out.

5. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for guiding the movement of the retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing comprise a guide track formed in the edges of the communications card surrounding the retractable access portion of the communications card that travels in and out and a corresponding channel formed in the edges of the portion of the communications card that travels in and out.

6. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for guiding the travel of a retractable access portion of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out of the computer housing comprise a channel formed in the bottom of the retractable access portion of the communications card that travels in and out and a corresponding protruding guide track formed on a corresponding face of the communication card.

7. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing.

8. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing comprise a spring affixed to both the communications card and the retractable access portion of the communications card such that the spring biases the retractable access portion of the communications card in an outward direction.

9. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance.

10. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a chevron-shaped groove formed in the retractable access portion and an actuating shaft pivotally affixed to the remainder portion of the communications card, the actuating shaft traveling within the chevron-shaped groove.

11. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 9, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.

12. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing.

13. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 12, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.

14. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 12, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise:

(a) a ratcheted groove formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card; and

(b) an actuating shaft pivotally connected to the remainder portion, the actuating shaft traveling within the ratcheted groove.

15. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 14, wherein the ratcheted groove is chevron-shaped.

16. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing the retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card an the remainder of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out through the computer housing.

17. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 16, wherein the means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card and the remainder of the communications card comprise a flexible wire ribbon attached at one end to the retractable access portion of the communications card and at the other end to the remainder of the communications card.

18. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively exposing a retractable access portion of the communications card outside of the computer housing further comprise an actuating mechanism capable of releasing the retractable access portion.

19. A communications media direct connection system providing electrical communication between a media connector and a communications card, the system comprising:

(a) a portable computer having a housing;

(b) a communications card capable of being stored in the housing, the communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture;

(c) a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card to move the aperture to a position outside of the computer housing for reception of the media connector; and

(d) means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing.

20. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for biasing the retractable access portion of the communications card in a direction away from the computer housing comprise a spring affixed to both the communications card and the retractable access portion of the communications card such that the spring biases the retractable access portion of the communications card in an outward direction.

21. A communications connection system allowing electrical communication between a media connector and a communications card, the system comprising:

(a) a computer having a housing;

(b) a PCMCIA communications card in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card having a retractable access portion and a remainder portion, the retractable access portion having formed therein walls forming an aperture;

(c) a slot formed in the computer housing capable of emitting the retractable access portion of the communications card to expose the aperture outside of the computer housing for reception of the media connector; and

(d) means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance;

(e) means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing;

(f) means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card and the remainder of the communications card as the retractable access portion of the communications card travels in and out through the computer housing.

22. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a chevron-shaped groove formed in the side of the retractable access portion and an actuating shaft pivotally affixed to a portion of the remainder of the card, the actuating shaft traveling within the chevron-shaped groove.

23. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for restricting the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card to a predetermined distance comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.

24. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise a notch formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card capable of receiving a lever with a tip of corresponding shape, the lever being pivotally fixed to the housing of the computer and biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card.

25. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for selectively retaining the retractable access portion of the communications card within the computer housing comprise:

(a) a ratcheted groove formed within an edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card; and

(b) an actuating shaft pivotally connecting to the remainder portion of the communications card.

26. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 25, wherein the ratheted groove is chevron-shaped.

27. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 21, wherein the means for maintaining electrical communication between the retractable access portion of the communications card and the remainder of the communications card comprise a flexible wire ribbon attached at one end to the retractable access portion of the communications card and at the other end to the remainder of the communications card.

28. A direct communications media direct connection system as recited in claim 21, further comprising an actuating mechanism capable of releasing the retaining means thereby allowing the retractable access portion of the communications card along the guiding means until the travel of the retractable access portion of the communications card is halted by the travel restricting means.

29. A direct communications media connecting system as recited in claim 28, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a notch formed in the side of the retractable access portion of the communications card and an exposed lever with a tip corresponding in shape to the notch, the lever being biased in the direction of the edge of the retractable access portion of the communications card and being accessible by a user.

30. A communications media connection system, the system comprising:

(a) a portable computer having a PCMCIA communications card slot in a housing;

(b) a PCMCIA communications card capable of being inserted into the slot within the housing, the PCMCIA communications card being in electrical communication with the computer, the communications card being substantially enclosed by the computer housing; and

(c) an access tunnel formed in the computer housing through which electrical connection can be attained between a portion of the communications card and a media connector so as to provide for direct connection of a media connector to the communications card.

31. A communications media connection system as recited in claim 30, wherein the access tunnel is crescent shaped.